Rex apologizes for cursing out fan

Rex Ryan apologized Monday for his foul-mouthed remarks to a fan Sunday, and the NFL plans to take a look at the incident, which was captured on video.

As Ryan walked into the MetLife Stadium tunnel at halftime, with the Jets having just yielded an 80-yard touchdown drive, a fan yelled out that Patriots coach Bill Belichick is "better than" him. That's when Ryan offered up the choice words, a move he regrets.

"It was right after halftime, obviously [had] made the mistake with a timeout, gave up the touchdown," Ryan said. "It was an emotional time. I'm coming in and I obviously made a mistake. I was just full of emotion and just popped off and obviously I know I represent the National Football League and I know I represent the Jets and I know it was a mistake and I apologize for it.

"This is who I am. I made a mistake and I'm about as big a competitor as there is and I was in no mood to hear anything. But I also understand I have to handle that better."

Ryan could face a fine from the NFL, which is checking into the incident, league spokesman Greg Aiello said. A Jets spokesman said it's a game-related matter and that any discipline will come from the league, not the team.

"Rex and I have talked about it," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "Obviously, he let his emotions get the best of him. He knows his behavior was not acceptable."

This isn't the first time Ryan has had to apologize for his actions. After his first season with the Jets, Ryan made an obscene gesture at a fan during a mixed martial arts event in Sunrise, Fla., the day before the Pro Bowl, and the team fined him $50,000.

"I obviously make mistakes all the time and I'm not perfect by any stretch," Ryan said. "I try to get better, but sometimes my emotions get the best of me."

Belichick's emotions might have gotten the best of him, too. He reportedly made an obscene remark on the field after New England's victory over the Jets, cracking to his son Stephen how the Patriots put up 37 points "on the best defense in the league . . . "

Asked about it Monday, Belichick told reporters in New England: "Yeah, that's not the way I remember it, so . . . "

Still, don't think Ryan will forget it.

Said Ryan: "It's something I'll bring up to him after we beat them in the playoffs again this year."